This involves pedalling up a road climb with the motor set to the most powerful assistance level, before bombing back down along a variety of downhill runs to see how many laps I can get in until the battery runs flat. With this group test, we provide answers to the most important questions when buying and help you invest your hard-earned money in the right place and prevent you from making the wrong purchase. Together with the high level of comfort, it is a great bike for touring riders. The Assegai is an insanely good tyre, and for me its bordering on a must-have for a big e-MTB like this. The Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Alloy 70, Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 70, and Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy are all aluminum frame full suspension mountain e-bikes. However, it reveals weaknesses in steep terrain and at high speed. Ride stats from RM Altitude from Strava, Garmin and Ebikemotion app: Moving time 1h 9m, distance 10.4 miles, elevation gain 2,091 ft., estimated average power 155w, energy output 647 kJ. 2020 Santa Cruz Heckler Carbon CC X01 RSV E-Bike. - On the heavy side. Youll get the most out of the Dyname 4.0 drive unit when spinning at a cadence of 85-120 RPM, and theres actually a dedicated page on the Jumbotron display that shows a big tick when youre in that zone. 2019. It is also the only bike in the test field that is truly quiet downhill. With most motors, using the full-powered Boost/Turbo mode tends to be overwhelming, dominating the ride and making the bike difficult to control. These New Bikes Prove Electric Need Not Be Ugly, There's Nothing Else Like this $2,000 Gravel Bike, The Best Bike Pumps for Every Type of Rider, This Throwback MTB Punches Well Above Its Weight, The Tiny Earbuds Are the Future of Wireless Hi-Fi, The Last-Chance Presidents' Day Furniture Sales, You've Never Heard of 2022's Most-Awarded Whiskey. In general, availability still poses major challenges for the industry in 2022. EMTBs are delicate, high-tech devices that need regular maintenance and care. For 2022, numerous manufacturers present bikes with enormous battery capacities of up to 1,034 Wh and celebrate their increased range. Here well be diving into our experience of testing the second-from-the-top model; the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70. That is, until you ride them. Do you run out of juice? Its also a second generation system thats replacing a motor thats been on the market for four years, so it aint exactly Rocky Mountains first rodeo. The chainstay length can be adjusted however, with a dual position flip chip and a reversible brake mount that allows riders to easily extend the rear centre by 10mm. They are your only contact with the ground and influence traction, braking distances and the handling of your bike, as well as contributing to its suspension. For the 2022 season, the bike industry has come up with numerous technical developments as well as exciting new approaches and battery concepts that influence performance and that you have to consider before buying. Specialized Kenevo SL vs. Orbea Wild vs. Mondraker Chaser - YouTube Mal Wieder eine Sonntagstour mit der Bande.Lacher sind wie immer. How long are your longest rides and how much ascending do you realistically do? Add to Basket. While this might sound like a vacation, its a lot of hard work too! Bikes come shipped from the factory in position three (also known as neutral), and these are the key numbers it delivers; Adjusting the Ride-4 geometry chip is even quicker than the dropouts, with only a single 5mm hex key required. If you are between two frame sizes, you usually have the choice between more stability on the larger bike or more agility on the smaller one. Its not the poppiest bike given its mass and suspension platform, though riders concerned by weight may wish to look towards the slightly shorter travel Instinct Powerplay. Made for aggressive, all-day riders, the newly-launched Shuttle is turning heads. There are sliding scales at the end of each review, giving you a visual representation of the bikes handling. MSRP: $6,500; MODEL YEAR: 2023; Read Review. Price: $8999.00. Most brands choose motors from either Bosch or Shimano, with Specialized being another exception because of their use of the Brose motor. Customized for the Rocky Mountain as the Powerplay 3.0, this motor system is an interesting addition in the fray of electric bike motors. To help you answer all these questions and more, we present the most important battery concepts in detail in. You want a bike that delivers more motor power than a Bosch system? The motor anchors above and forward of the crankset, with a small drive sprocket that sitsclose to the main pivot. Who are the people behind the testing and what do they look for in their perfect bike? While the ride height was good, and the suspension felt pretty plush, I did find there to be a lack of sensitivity deeper into the travel. Where you can usually win with the fastest time or the most goals, there are many factors that contribute to deciding which bike to buy, and everyone weighs them differently. eBay Kleinanzeigen: E Mtb E Bike, Fahrrder & Zubehr - Jetzt in Halblech finden oder inserieren! Altitude lineup | Rocky Mountain DESIGNED FOR Enduro WHEEL SIZE 29" & 27.5" FRONT TRAVEL 170 mm REAR TRAVEL 160 mm Race circuits or Sunday Shreds, the Altitude has you covered. What does the best eMTB have to be capable of in 2022? The rubber compound can be more durable and harder for reduced rolling resistance e.g. It is fun to ride on flow trails and the suspension and high touring comfort are also a strength. Great deal on 2023 SPECIALIZED Stumpjumper Evo Comp: Other - New - S3 frame size. You can find detailed information in our brake group test at our sister magazine ENDURO. Troy Lee Designs Flowline and Flowline SE MTB Helmet A reasonable successor? This is because the guts of the Dyname 4.0 are spinning at a lower RPM, producing a lower pitch and generally less volume overall. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay FIRST RIDE - YouTube 0:00 / 21:30 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay FIRST RIDE 14,469 views Premiered Jan 4, 2021 352 Dislike Share Save Pinned TV 20.5K. They may have changed since then. It makes more sense to have a battery capacity that is linked to the frame size. It inspires a load of confidence on technical descents, with the suspension gobbling up rocks and big hits with ease. Rocky Mountain. The Norco Sight VLT C1 and Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 have some catching up to do. For some of our testers it was just 160 mm! You shouldnt buy an eMTB just because youve heard that a wireless SRAM AXS drivetrain is great. As part of our annual reader survey, more than 16,520 E-MOUNTAINBIKERS answered around 90 questions, helping us to make this test as relevant as possible! Like every person, every bike has its own character that inevitably embodies both strengths and weaknesses. After all, a bike is only as good as the interplay of all its components in the real world! Nonetheless, it resoundingly leaves the Specialized SL 1.1 behind on climbs. As you pedal, the chain tightens and pushes up against a jockey wheel, which is the main torque sensor for the system. It also features a shorter 150mm travel fork, and an extended lower headset cup to balance out the ride height. Noise is also comparable to Bosch, and is significantly less whiney than a Shimano EP8 motor. We are convinced that more than 700 Wh in the tank isnt necessary for a trail all-rounder like the one we are looking for in this test. But is different any better? In addition to the options that you expressed an interest for, our know-how and expertise also played a role in the selection, with many exciting new models on the market that contribute to making this test so interesting. Fork RockShox Yari RC 160mm 37mm Offset Shock However, good value for money isnt about the sum of the parts in the spec, but how the complete package performs on the trail. It was also much more planted on the climbs, allowing me to make better use of the massive motor power. In this group test, we looked for the best trail all-rounder that shines on every trail and delivers the best overall package of handling, uphill, downhill and touring performance, design, motor, specs, battery concept and detailed solutions. Remember, there is no simple answer to the question of, How far will I be able to ride on a single charge? We delve deeper into the topic of range and battery capacity in the next chapter. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. In this group test, there are considerable differences in terms of grip, steering precision, traction and puncture protection, which also influence the handling, riding experience and feeling of safety. It is also not the right choice for beginners due to its demanding handling. Was From. When choosing a bike, its important to choose a concept that fits your personal requirements. Loose terrain is more approachable. Which routes and trails did we ride? Braaaaaap: this time the test field includes a bike that unrelentingly pulls away from any Bosch or Shimano motor uphill, but also engenders its own pitfalls! The Jumbotron does allow you to personalise the motors assistance levels and Boost character though, which well touch on in a bit. Preventing the front from lifting on technical climbs requires a lot of physical effort as you have to shift . After tweaking the air volume in the fork and shock to improve traction and high-speed control, I decided to try out a variety of the Ride-4 geometry settings. If you value easier handling and more riding fun, you have to find the right balance less is often more. The bigger the disc, the better the control, the better the modulation on long descents and the better the resistance to fade. the best Bosch bike, the best bike with a 750 Wh battery or the best bike with 150 mm travel and 29 wheels. NEW: Before we get into the review, we would like to tell you about our latest print edition. Copyright 2023 E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine. Only the Specialized Levo is truly quiet downhill. Note, that the ratings can only be compared between bikes in this group test. On the other hand, if you want to ride the eMTB, which Trek themselves describe as super-capable, on fast, demanding and technical singletrails, you should stay away from the 13,599 Trek Rail 9.9. Compared to the previous model, the new Altitude Powerplay updates to a trendy mid-high pivot suspension design, with the main pivot sitting 100mm north of the BB. However, there are some compromises when it comes to stability through fast trail sections and traction. As for rebound damping, I set both the adjusters on fork and shock a click or two slower than halfway. But, what the relatively small Rocky Mountain has accomplished by making its own power unit, might actually put them ahead of where the billion-dollar behemoth, Trek, is right now with its e-bike platform. Secondly it can produce more grunt at lower Amps. Four long years after the Canadian brand introduced its very first electric mountain bike, the 2nd generation Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay has finally arrived. the 3C MaxxTerra rubber compound from MAXXIS or ADDIX Soft (orange) from Schwalbe. for 2023. A 630 watt-hour battery, Shimano motor and quality components round out this jack of all trails. There are four assistance modes you can choose from; Eco, Trail, Trail+ and Ludicrous. As you can see, we didnt make the win quite as easy to determine as it would be in a world championship. Orbea shows how its done with the battery and motor concept of the Rise. Jan 26, 2022. Thats why you should also consider the maintenance costs for service parts and consumables. 2021 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition E-Bike. Rocky is offering the frame in sizes SM-XL. A useful method to determine where you can ride your e-bike is to determine which class it belongs to: there are three, each with its own restrictions and designations when it comes to trail access. Every bike from size L upwards should have space for at least 170 mm. But whats surprised me most about this bike is just how adaptable and enthusiastic it is for all-roundriding. Shifting has also been crisp and ever-so reliable even under high pedalling loads. In the end, everyone has to decide for themselves which handling compromises they want to accept in favour of more battery capacity. Rocky Mountain 2022 Instinct Alloy 30 29" MTB Gold/Red. : /. Other bikes are capable of covering an equally wide range of applications while also outperforming the MERIDA in individual specialisations. Yes, you can steepen the angle by flipping the Ride-4 chip, but I dont want to steepen the head angle and lift the BB at the same time. It is somewhat planted, a byproduct of its overall mass and the mid-high suspension design, so while I have found itll take to the air, its not the poppiest bike going. On the bikes with Specialized and Dyname 4.0 motors, the display is elegantly integrated into the top tube. Also occasional bike park use with a lift 10 29 comments Add a Comment briar141c 2 yr. ago The geometry is confidence-inspiring on the descents and still agile enough when singletrack is narrow. There isn't one simple answer to this question: e-mountain bike restrictions are set by the owners of the land you plan to ride that could be the state, the feds or more rarely, private landowners. Long climbs are suddenly much easier. Torque also has a big influence. Cycleworld - Concord West Enquire Now Enquire Now Remaining: 76%. Your personal setup and the factory settings of the suspension fork and shock from the bike manufacturer also play a major role. Welcome! Rotwild could tease out much more trail performance with different choices. Thanks to the compact motor, the geometry of the Altitude Powerplay closely follows that of the non-motorised version. E. Rubbee X e-bike conversion kit . Mid-drive motors provide power in the same way: the difference is in location mid-drive motors are located in the middle of the bike, in the bottom bracket area. We also clear up half-truths, examine forum discussions, marketing promises and tell you what really matters. However, due to current production and delivery difficulties, some manufacturers, including Haibike, CUBE and BULLS were unable to provide a bike. Class 2 e-bikes are throttle-assisted and are equipped with a motor that can move the bike forward without pedaling. Until my scheduled shin transplant pans out, its difficult for me to say. The Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition has a better fork and more travel, while the Turbo Levo Expert has 29 / 27.5 aluminum wheels and better components. Press Fit BB89.5. Add to Basket. What is important here is what is possible, not just what is stated on paper. However, there is still some mechanical noise and vibration thats caused by the idler and lower chainguide. Suspension-wise I didnt find the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay to be as gooey-plush as the Specialized Kenevo SL, which is my personal benchmark out of all the big travel e-MTBs weve tested. Dual bearings are employed in the chainstay pivot for increased stiffness and durability, while external shields are added to all pivot bearings to ward off contaminants. According to Rocky Mountain, the new kinematic offers increased anti-squat in the early portion of the travel, and a more supportive leverage rate throughout. The fact that the main pivot isnt sky-high no doubt contributes to this predictable weight distribution. They're here to stay and getting better every day. The highly responsive torque sensor means that while power comes on with minimal lag, it drops off just as quickly when you stop pedalling, which can occasionally be a problem on awkward technical climbs. Unlock your ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWERPLAY engine today! The majority of electric mountain bikes are equipped with lithium-ion batteries if maintained properly, these batteries can last between 3-5 years. Its actually great encouragement, and if you go for it, its possible to ride this bike very fast uphill. So, the key questions we asked ourselves in this group test were: what type of rider will love this bike? With the Shimano EP8 motor, you can even save two different profiles so that you can quickly switch between your configurations. Unfortunately, it still rattles at high speeds through braking bumps, over edges and on landings, creating vibrations that can be felt in the bars and that upset the Rails composure. Our test field only featured tires from Schwalbe or MAXXIS. Some modern eMTBs, such as the Norco, Rocky Mountain and Specialized Levo, rely on low seat tubes that make it possible to choose between several sizes, provided that a correspondingly long dropper post fits the bike. One of the bikes uses the old Bosch 2021 system. I had the pleasure of riding the original model at the European launch way back in 2017, but weve admittedly not had a heap of experience with Rocky Mountain bikes since then. Its recommended to set up the rear shock with 30-35% sag, and Rockys suggested pressure of 190psi for my 68kg weight proved to be spot-on, putting me at the lower end of that sag range. The Dyname 4.0 motor on the Rocky Mountain does not have an app, but here too you can fine-tune the support levels via the display. When going uphill, the slack seat tube angle (74) positions the rider far over the rear wheel. With four assist modes on offer, the performance band of the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay spans a pretty wide gap. Exceptions are last years test winners and best buys. As you can see, we have invited many different bikes. If you only ride it at moderate speeds or on easy trails, you wont feel much of this. The Altitude Powerplay is a lot of bike and there's a lot to like about it. Whats the best eMTB and how do I find it? However, the suspension generates loads of grip, and combined with the robust tyres and well-balanced weight distribution, it absolutely rips through the corners. Tires are elementary. All in all, it is a good all-rounder with sacrifices to the range and high speed. The great diversity that now exists on the market is also reflected in our test field. As you can see, tires are a complex issue. It rolls on 29in wheels, and its equipped with a 170mm travel fork and 160mm of rear travel. Imagine the kinds of rooty, rocky, horror fests reserved for bravest or craziest and thats where youll likely find the Bullit. - Impressive total range, - High pivot design requires longer chain How did the individual eMTB in this group test fare? Thanks to a 672-watt-hour battery and a compact, low-mounted motor, it rips uphill for easy self-shuttling. For anything more, you can find all the details on the best tires for eMTBers in our tire group test of over 50 tires. Shimano provide the most options here. Nothing is more annoying than the wrong purchase or a bike that bucks, protests or simply doesnt want to fit your requirements. Weve been looking for the best all-rounder that wont let you down on any trail, whether uphill or downhill, and offers a carefree package of performance and riding fun for all rider types and skill levels. It didnt quite have what it takes to win the test, but thanks to its great price-performance ratio, the Orbea Rise M-Team deservedly wins the Best Buy! The other has the new Smart System 2022, which is also based on the Bosch Performance Line CX motor. Were told this was down to a simple availability issue at the factory. These spikes can be many times the rated power. - Brilliant cornering performance From here the next step was to investigate the dropout flip chip. To help you answer all these questions and more, we present the most important battery concepts in detail in this article. I found it easy to adjust the Ride-4 and dropout flip chips, and pulling the shock out to alter the spring volume showed just how cleanly everything fits together. The suspension consists of a FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 fork and FOX FLOAT X2 Factory shock, controlling 170/160 mm travel at the front and rear. My only complaint is that the 150mm dropper post felt on the short side, limiting how much I could move around the bike when jumping or bombing down much steeper sections of trail. On flow trails, it also scores points with its poppy suspension and balanced riding position. Power is nothing without control. . On the note of the drivetrain, the Altitude Powerplay requires a longer chain than usual due to its idler and chainguide, so you may need to buy two chains when it comes time for a drivetrain service. The most important factors to consider when investing in an electric mountain bike are battery power, charging times, and hub drives versus mid-drives. We have a clear goal: to help you find the right bike for you and your needs. Average speed 9.0 mp/h. And is range really that important to you, or would you rather have good handling on the trail? Even with the big battery, it takes less than four hours for a full recharge. The motor is called Dyname 4.0, and like the frame its had a significant update for 2022. Some now even use large 220 mm discs. Therefore, we cannot make a general statement about the suspension travel. Rocky Mountain carbon 70 vs specialized enduro comp. A fast trail ride with maximum support, a long tour, commuting, an excursion with a child or dog trailer, low support to optimise the range people use their eMTBs in different, sometimes contradictory ways, and it makes sense to be able to adjust the motor individually beyond just the available support modes. The lightweight eMTB with 150/140 mm suspension travel and 29 tyres always remains easy to control and elicits fun in every situation. I still wish the Jumbotron had a clock so I could leave my phone tucked away entirely, but otherwise its totally functional, while being unobtrusive enough that it doesnt distract you while riding. Only knock? The Instinct Powerplay Alloy 50 is close to greatness but is held back by its controls and components. Also neat is that the frame will accept a SRAM UDH when the dropout is set in the longest position a useful feature for folks who like to travel with their bike. Compare. There are five options in total in the 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay lineup, three of which feature carbon frames and two that use alloy frames. One other important note on noise the Dyname 4.0 motor suffers none of the annoying rattle found in the current Shimano and Bosch motors. In the same way that Giant has collaborated with Yamaha, and Specialized has partnered with Brose and Mahle, Rocky Mountain has employed the services of fellow Canadian brand Propulsion Powercycle to help engineer the motor for the Instinct and Altitude Powerplay models. A steeper seat tube angle would no doubt improve the seated climbing position, but it would affect the riding position and likely compromise comfort elsewhere. There are some clear recommendations for a trail all-rounder, which needs to work well for every rider and on every trail. Price: $10229.00. On the trail, it scores points with its light-footed but demanding handling, which will suit experienced flow trail riders best. the best eMTB of 2021, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K, went into this test almost unchanged and demonstrated that it is still a strong all-rounder. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70. We believe that every rider has different needs and preferences, and its up to you to find out what these are and then choose a bike based on that. There is no such shuttle mode on the Altitude Powerplay, which requires a more collaborative performance between your legs and the motor. Yes, in something of a nod to Elon Musk, this bike has Ludicrous mode. - Mid-high pivot Smoothlink rear suspension design That is very quick, resulting in a higher average climbing speed overall. *with range extender Generally speaking, I remained in the Trail setting during the test period, which netted me anywhere from 50-75km of riding with 2,000-2,400m of elevation gain. Despite its reduced torque, the EP8 RS motor provides enough power at high cadences to easily keep up with the standard Shimano or even the current Bosch motor. Inevitably, that also includes the battery and motor concept. The carbon frame is also nicely crafted. Altitude Powerplay lineup | Rocky Mountain DESIGNED FOR Enduro WHEEL SIZE 29" FRONT TRAVEL 170 mm REAR TRAVEL 160 mm Designed alongside our Dyname 4.0 drive system, the Altitude Powerplay has everything you need for aggressive enduro e-biking. It rolls on 29in wheels, and it's equipped with a 170mm travel fork and 160mm of rear travel. Turning the Boost level up to +2 is a bit like increasing the Support level on a Specialized Levo, or the Assistance Character on a Shimano system. We gathered the most interesting facts from the test field for you and compared them with last years test. Although you dont necessarily need the biggest disc rotors as a 70 kg flyweight, you will still benefit from them. The slackest position is great for full-blown descending, though I found that as I became tired towards the end of a longer ride, I was more likely to wash out the front tyre on flatter turns. As such, I was able to run pressures as low as 22psi in the front and 24psi in the rear. However, there have been times where I would have liked external control of the high-speed rebound to calm down the rear end when facing more violent impacts. The pursuit of maximum battery capacity Is the bike industry moving in the wrong direction? The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 30 Coil, Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Alloy 30, and Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy are all aluminum frame full suspension mountain e-bikes. Rocky Mountain have opted for a 48V platform for their batteries (most manufacturers run 36V) This is especially important for Australia. Altitude Powerplay Alu 50. For efficient charging, the best bet is to set a reminder to charge your bike up the night before a ride: set it and forget it until the morning of your adventure.